Appointments2017-present Assistant Professor,
University of California, San Diego2014-2017 Postdoctoral Scholar,
The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Research Interests

Aging is a multifaceted process that is believed to be initiated by damage to various cellular macromolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. However, mounting evident supports the theory that damage to DNA plays a more prominent role in aging than other macromolecules. In fact, most documented progeroid syndromes (genetic diseases with phenotypes of accelerated aging) are caused by mutations in DNA repair enzymes. The Komor lab will apply chemical biology approaches to reveal molecular relationships between DNA damage and aging. We will strive to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that connect specific DNA lesions to cellular death and senescence, the major contributors of organismal aging.